Guide describing steps that builders can take to reduce the likelihood of standing water and localized flooding around the foundation of a home during rainy conditions, with links to several full guides providing detailed instructions for improving water management in new and existing homes.
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified dishwashers that highlights water cycle specifications, efficiency code standards, water consumption level relation to criteria, the advantages of ENERGY STAR dishwashers, and the regulations for building and verifying a labeled...
This fact sheet describes the requirements for WaterSense® labeled showerheads in, highlighting their water-saving capabilities, adherence to flow rate criteria, independent performance certification, and how they're built, verified and in alignment with the conservation and water management goals...
This fact sheet outlines the requirements for WaterSense® labeled bathroom sink faucets, detailing their water-efficient features, compliance with flow rate standards, how they are tested, how they are built, and how they are verified to ensure their quality and compliance with conservation and...
This presentation will help you define insulated siding, understand R-value testing of insulated siding, describe proper installation of insulated siding, comply with energy codes and understand building energy performance program and software recognition.
Conference paper describing the use of engineered rainscreen products to provide air flow and water drainage space in wall assemblies in residential and commercial buildings.
Webpage describing the home certification organization, 24/7 Certifications and their requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format.
This fact sheet outlines the mandatory inclusion of WaterSense® labeled toilets in homes, highlighting their water-efficient features, certified performance, and leak prevention; The sheet describes the requirements for these features, steps to build, and steps to verify a labeled toilet to insure...
Webpage describing the home certification organization, RESNET and its requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format as well as the scope, information verifiers, and partners of the program.
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified clothes washers that highlights the integrated water factor, integrated modified energy factor, top-loading vs. front-loading specifications, efficiency code standards, local requirements, faucet types and regulations for building...
Case study describing the importance of proper flashing on a home with rigid foam insulation sheathing, as well as the steps for installing flashing and diverters.
Fact sheet describing how the Environmental Protection Agency ensures labeled homes meet the WaterSense efficiency requirements for whole house water management including a list of requirements and a data chart.
Fact sheet describing the special considerations that must be made when installing utility equipment, such as fuel, sewage, and water/sewage lines in a coastal home, and presenting recommendations for utility protection; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction...
2009 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.
2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.
2015 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.
2018 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.
Research report describing study of exterior retrofit approach for air sealing, insulating, and water management conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified kitchen faucets that highlights flow rate specifications, efficiency code standards, local requirements, faucet types and regulations for building and verifying a labeled faucet to ensure it meets the quality and water management...
Video describing an “excavationless” retrofit technique developed by the University of Minnesota to install exterior insulation around the foundation of an existing home by using high-pressure water to cut a trench through the dirt along the edge of a concrete foundation, remove the mud with a...
Case study describing Alachua County, Florida’s, green infrastructure strategy for land use development that incorporates rain gardens, ponds, swales, and native vegetation to manage stormwater.
Case study describing a 2013 DOE Building America Top Innovation for the installation of rigid foam insulation on the exterior of home roofs and walls as a thermal, air, and moisture barrier.
Case study describing an effort to research, design, verify, and document a heat pump water heating system for a multifamily building using the building sewage as the heat pump’s heat source.
Resource that can be used to determine peak watering month and the appropriate evapotranspiration and rainfall values for a specific United States zip code.
Technical bulletin describing National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements for flood openings in foundation walls and walls of enclosures below elevated buildings.
Resource that can be used to comply with section 4.1.1 of Version 1.2 of the WaterSense New Home Specification or to ensure a measure of efficiency and regional suitability for the amount of water applied to a landscape based on local climate data.
Acceptance criteria providing guidelines for demonstrating compliance with codes referenced in the criteria related to barriers to water migration in thin-set installations of ceramic tile and stone flooring and shower sub-pan linings.
Case study describing the importance of proper flashing on a home with house wrap over OSB or plywood sheathing, as well as the steps for installing flashing and diverters.
Case study describing the External Thermal and Moisture Management System developed by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership for retrofitting roofs with rigid foam over the roof deck, especially on one and a half-story homes.
Fact sheet describing water-efficient landscaping through informed landscape design and plant selection, outlining considerations for climate, soil, and maintenance, as well as emphasizing the benefits of native and drought-tolerant plants, all within the context of achieving water efficiency...
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.
Article describing a technique for installing a skylight and avoiding potential water leaks with the use of a peel-and-stick (or self-adhesive) membrane under the flashing.
Resource manual for builders, designers, architects, plumbers, and others interested in the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program providing an overview of the program, explains how to meet the program requirements, gives descriptions of water-saving technologies, and provides links to further resources.
Information sheet designed for the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers working in affordable housing. This sheet presents building guidance for both new construction and rehabilitation, as well as practices that can be used by property maintenance...
A Recovery Advisory guide reccomending practices for designing and installing metal roof systems that will enhance wind resistance in high-wind regions (i.e., greater than 90-miles per hour [mph] gust design wind speed).
This case study describes costs associated with the External Thermal and Moisture Management System developed by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership for retrofitting roofs with rigid foam over the roof deck, especially on one and a half-story homes.
An installation training manual discussing the installation of metal roofing materials and related accessories, for both new construction and retrofit projects.
Article describing ways to protect roofs from water infiltration by using self-adhering underlayment in vulnerable locations such as roof valleys, eave edges (to help deal with ice dams), rake edges, roofs to vertical walls (such as dormers), sidewall protection, the bottom of dormer valleys, and...
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.
Resource that provides a directory of individuals that have sucessfully completed all requirements of at least one WaterSense labeled professional certification program.